State Hospital Central Office Investigator and Incident Response Coordinator

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

Functional Title: State Hospital Central Office Investigator and Incident Response Coordinator 
Job Title: Investigator VII 
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm 
Department: Hospitals Section 
Posting Number: 20232 
Closing Date: 09/17/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Protective Services 
Salary Range: $6,377.50 - $10,785.83 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-26 
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift: Days (First) 
Telework:  
Travel: Up to 30% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 909 W 45TH ST BLDG 552 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 5805,5813,5819,5821,5822,7596,8012,14N,14NX,183X,1D7X1,1N0X1,1S0X1,250X,311A,31A,31B,31D,31PX,351L 
351M,35A,35L,35M,3E7X1,3P0X1,43HX,4B0X1,4E0X1,5I0,649X,683X,71SX,749X,783X,89D,89E,EOD,INV,IS,IV,LN 
MA,ME,MLES,MSSD,MSSE,MSSR,MST,OAP12,OAP14 
 

Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people’s lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of ten psychiatric hospitals, two youth residential treatment facilities, and thirteen state supported living centers. Psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below.

The Investigator VII, State Hospital Central -Office Investigator and Incident Response Coordinator works under the supervision of the Director of Quality and Incident Management and performs highly advanced (senior-level) consultative and technical services, guidance, and oversight to ensure the effective operations of the incident management at each of the 12 State Hospitals and 2 Centers for Youth , which includes investigations incidents.  Serves as the State Hospital technical/subject matter expert for all investigative requirements for the SH system.  Works with all 12 State Hospitals and 2 Centers for Youth simultaneously on the most complex cases. Ensures that all services are delivered consistently within generally accepted professional standards, and the requirements set out by the Joint Commission. Develops, implements, trains and evaluates incident management and administrative policies, procedures and practices in coordination with State Hospital leadership. Establishes and maintains relevant incident management activities and data systems to objectively measure the consistent and effective delivery of services at each State Hospital.  Provides consultation, training, assistance, and direction to the State Hospitals to assist in incident prevention, response, trending and analysis. Completes complex audits, special investigations, represents the division with external entities, and serves as the Client Abuse Neglect Reporting System (CANRS) or similar reporting program Administrator for the State Hospitals. Reviews reports prepared by others for compliance with adherence to standard protocols and rules.  Coaches, develops and oversees the work of others. Performs special assignments, services on various committees.  Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment within established laws, regulations, standards, rules and agency policies of the State Hospital and the Health and Human Services Commission.

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Attends work on a regular basis and may be asked to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

Provides highly advanced consultation, oversight and guidance to State Hospitals ensuring that appropriate actions are taken for High-Profile Notification Reports including all statutory reporting processes are followed, appropriate protections are implemented for resident security and safety, and all systemic issues are addressed.   Works with all 12 State Hospitals and 2 Centers for Youth simultaneously on the most complex cases. Actively participates in any assigned daily meeting held by State Hospitals related to Abuse Neglect and Exploitation (ANE), Unusual Incidents, peer-to-peer aggression and falls and follows up on identified issues.  Analyzes the general State Hospital operations to ensure compliance with statutory standards and regulations. .

Serves as the State Hospital technical/subject matter expert for all investigative requirements for the State Hospital system.  Provides state-wide oversight to ensure reports of unusual incidents including serious injuries and allegations of resident abuse, neglect or exploitation (ANE) are reported to State Hospital Central Office, and other agencies within required timeframes and investigated in accordance with agency policy and protocol.  Receives reports of unusual incidents during business hours, develops and maintains a central office on-call process for unusual incidents after hours, routinely participates in the on-call rotation to cover staff shortages and vacancies, and participates in a weekend rotation attending all Critical Incident Team meetings. 

Conducts highly complex investigations assigned by State Hospital  Central  Office Leadership to ensure compliance with established statutory standards and regulatory requirements, applicable laws, and policies and procedures.  Obtains, verifies, and records evidence and documents for use in investigations such as witness statements, video surveillance, written records, and documents contained in the electronic health record. Investigations generally encompass multiple State Hospitals and unusual incidents to ensure all systemic concerns are identified, thoroughly investigated, and result in systemic change recommendations. Evaluates and summarizes investigative findings into clear, concise and comprehensive reports.

Develops incident management and administrative policies, procedures and practices working in coordination with facility directors, assistant directors, incident management coordinators, central office managers and discipline coordinators.   Develops, evaluates and implements policies and procedures to improve Incident Management processes statewide.  Develops, coordinates and provides routine training on basic and advanced investigative practices, incident management policies and procedures, and specific topics identified as in need of improvement or requested by State Hospital leadership.  

Maintains and tracks data for management reports such as trend analysis.  Completes and ensures others complete required data entry such as the Unusual Incident Reporting (UIR), high profile incident reports and tracking logs.   Maintains a centralized tracking system of all State Hospital unusual incidents. Collects, organizes, analyzes and provides requested information to the State Hospital Central Office Leadership regarding all High-Profile Notification reports of unusual incidents which require working in collaboration with each State Hospital Incident Management Department and Administrative Leadership. Provides daily summary reports to State Hospital Central Office Leadership according to the established guidelines. Transfers HHSC-PI/Regulatory information to the UIR system.  Reviews completed data entry for unusual incidents and follows-up with unusual incident recommendations. Assists with tracking injury reports.  

Completes complex annual audits of each State Hospital as part of the Central Office Review Team, evaluating the effectiveness of the SH’s Incident Management system to include reviewing and analyzing daily debriefing meetings, completed investigations, use of video surveillance, quality of staff training and knowledge of reporting abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Completes required reports and follows up on areas of deficiency.

Serves as the Client Abuse Neglect Reporting System (CANRS) or similar reporting system Administrator for the State Hospitals.  Assists new users with access and assists agency staff and Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authorities (LIDDA) with system entries.  Communicate with former employees related to inquiries about CANRS or similar system entries.  Enters dispositions from final orders from appeals and updates CANRS or similar system entries as required.

Reviews reports prepared by others for compliance with adherence to standard protocols and rules, including full and complete reporting and accurate data analysis.  Coaches and develops new Investigators and Directors of Incident Management on report writing and reports feedback.  Reviews investigations completed and submitted by HHSC-PI/Regulatory for ANE cases and elevates any concerns to the supervisor for discussion and action. Follows up on systemic concerns provided by HHSC-PI/Regulatory.  Tracks implemented actions to completion. Reviews the investigative techniques of the State Hospital investigators and makes recommendations for improvements to supervisors.  Develops and implements training regarding investigative techniques and Incident Management best practices.  Assists State Hospital investigators and incident coordinator with trending and analysis.

Represents the State Hospital when coordinating with the Adult Protective Services and the HHSC Office of the Inspector General. Maintains a primary contact relationship with external entities including but not limited to: Regulatory, Office of the Inspector General (OIG), Office of the Ombudsman, and the HHS legal services division. 

Performs special assignments at the request of State Hospital  Leadership to include responses to legislative requests related to program services.  Develops accurate, clear, concise and comprehensive reports, briefings, action and informal memos. Prepares cases for presentation and provides testimony and evidence at administrative hearings, such as disciplinary hearings, or in court proceedings if called to testify. Serves as the back-up for Director of Strategic Support and Incident Response and Field Based Coordinators as needed for coverage and business continuity, when assigned. Serves as a member of the Central Office Incident Management Team and participates on other assigned committees as needed. 

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. (5%)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of state and federal laws and State Hospital rules, regulations, policy and procedures related to State Hospital, or ability to gain that knowledge.

Knowledge of existing laws and legislative actions that relate to protection from harm and residential rights, or ability to gain that knowledge.

Knowledge of investigative principles, techniques and procedures.

Skill in the use of a computer and applicable software including Word, Excel, and MS Outlook and the electronic health and incident management systems.

Skill in interviewing and gathering facts.

Skill in searching records to identify and retrieve information.

Skill in the formulation of comprehensive investigative report.

Skill in critical thinking, problem solving and research.

Skill in evaluating findings.

Skill in preparing concise executive-level investigative reports.

Ability to convey thoughts, actions, and reasons, to explain events leading up to the incidents.

Ability to effectively communicate and interview witnesses with varying emotional, educational, cultural, and social classes.

Ability to effectively manage and control emotions.

Ability to interpret and apply laws and regulations.

Ability to work collaboratively with other investigators or investigative entities such as HHSC state-office, law enforcement, HHSC-PI.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Ability to testify in hearings and court proceedings.

Ability to effectively direct and utilize the assistance of other staff to complete investigations successfully.

Ability to train, coach, mentor, supervise and oversee the work of others.

Ability to plan, organize, and conduct investigations including death investigations.

Ability to interpret and apply laws and regulations.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

None

Initial Screening Criteria:

Graduation from 4-year university

3 years’ experience working in mental or behavioral health field, experience in psychiatric hospital preferred

3 years’ experience with rights protection or provider investigations.

Additional Information:

Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE). Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. Waco and Terrell Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age.

Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours.

Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers are considered to be at significant risk for acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. All these diseases are vaccine preventable. As a result, state hospital policy requires employees be vaccinated according to their level of contact with individuals. In the event you choose to not be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.

Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form

Telework Disclaimer:

This position may be eligible for telework.  Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.